I’ve also just been feeling very grateful recently. I love my online work so much. I get to try so many wonderful products, work with and meet so many wonderful people, and somehow get to do all of this alongside being a full time student. I feel truly grateful for everything in my life right now. I guess i’m in a bit of a gushy mood today.

I’ve set an intention for myself this semester to take care of myself a little bit more. I want to get back into exercising, cooking for myself properly, and just generally having a life outside of school. I was genuinely fighting for my life last semester, and I think I need a little more balance this time around for my own sanity. Anyways.. onto the things I loved this month:

Fashion

Sézane: Malo Cardigan

I got this cardigan and I love it so much. I really like cardigans that button all the way down. I have a couple of V-neck cardigans where the buttons start quite low down and I just don’t like them as much. I am quite specific about my cardigans haha. This one is kid mohair and merino wool and it’s so soft and cozy. I also made a rule after I did my colour analysis that I wasn’t going to buy black anymore because it’s technically not in my colour palette, but apparently I have absolutely no self-control because I’ve been wearing this every single day.

NEIWAI Bra

I was sent these bras and I haven’t worn another bra all month. I really dislike those removable inner cups that come in so many bras because they move around and fold themselves in half in the wash and generally just annoy me. I’m also studying most of the time and the last thing I want while sitting at my desk for eight hours is an underwire digging into me. But these are so comfortable, the cups don’t move around annoyingly, they feel like butter, and I basically forget I’m wearing one. I’m going to buy a couple more because I love them that much.

Skincare

Medicube Toner Pads

I know that toner pads are quite wasteful, but I really love these ones. For some reason, just pouring toner into my hands and splashing it onto my face does not feel like it gives me the same effect. I just love how juicy my skin feels after I use these. I’ve been reaching for them constantly this month and my skin just feels really hydrated and plump afterwards.

Medicube Booster Pro

I got this recently and I’ve been using it a couple of times a week. I do feel like the products I use afterwards penetrate better. It tingles a little bit, which was weird to get used to at first, but now I actually kind of like it? I’m trying to be consistent with using it because I feel like these are the kinds of things you actually need to use regularly before deciding whether they work, but so far I really like it.

Kitchen

Fellow Aiden Precision Coffee Maker

I love my coffee machine. I debated between this and the Breville Bambino for ages, and then I realised… I’m not actually a huge latte person. When I go out for coffee, I almost always get a regular coffee with a little bit of soy or oat milk, so realistically, how often was I going to steam milk at home? Probably never.

I ended up going for the Fellow Aiden and I’m so happy I did. I love that you can make a single cup when it’s just you or a bigger batch if you want more. And the coffee tastes fantastic. Even when I use the exact same beans I used to make regular drip coffee with before, it somehow tastes significantly better. Idk what it’s doing differently but I really, really love it.

Little Things

Doublesoul Socks

They’re buttery and I think that they’re so cute! I love a comfy stripy sock and they have the cutest designs. They also have arch support and are made with organic cotton which makes them feel a little more substantial than a normal sock. I like socks and I like these ones a lot. That is my very sophisticated review.

KEEN Sandals

I went upstate this weekend and we were staying right by a river, and I loved wearing these. They’re basically the perfect water shoe. They’re so comfortable and, most importantly, extremely un-slippery when you’re walking around on wet rocks, which I very much appreciated.

They are either hideous or adorable depending on your personal taste, but obviously I think they’re adorable. Especially with stripy socks, hehe.

Sunscreen

Ultra Violette Facial Sunscreen Moisturizer

This is an Australian sunscreen brand, so you know they take their sunscreen seriously. I love this. It’s unscented and basically everything I look for in a sunscreen: simple, easy to spread, comfortable on the skin, and no white cast. I don’t really want my sunscreen to do anything exciting. I just want to put it on without thinking about it, and this is exactly that.

Allies of Skin: Peptint Tripeptint lip treatment

I am very specific about my lip balms. I want them to be moisturizing, but I hate an aftertaste and I don’t like anything that’s overly glossy or sticky. I genuinely have no idea if it plumps my lips. Maybe it does? I don’t really care lol.

What I do care about is that it feels really lovely on my lips and the colours are super subtle, so I can put it on without a mirror and accidentally go slightly outside my lip line without looking like a child who got into her mother’s makeup.

Body

La Roche-Posay: Cicaplast Mains

I love this hand cream. I’m generally a huge La Roche-Posay fan, but this might actually be my favourite hand cream I’ve ever tried? Bold statement, I know.

It’s moisturizing without being greasy, which means I can put it on and immediately go back to typing without leaving weird greasy fingerprints all over my laptop. I also love Yuskin, which is a Japanese medicated hand cream and is amazing for really dry hands, but the smell can be a little particular. So if you’re sensitive to fragrance and have dry paws, I really really recommend this one.

La Roche-Posay: Triple Repair Body Moisturizer

I know, I know. Every single monthly favourites post somehow contains another moisturizer, but I have extremely dry skin and I moisturize my entire body every single night, so I have a lot of opinions on the subject.

I’ve been using this every night since I got it, and by day two I could feel a difference in my skin. It feels properly moisturized the next morning rather than just feeling nice immediately after I put it on, which is always my test for whether a body moisturizer is actually good. I know I say this all the time, but this one is truly great. If you have very dry skin like me, I really recommend it.

And that is everything for August! I’m going into September feeling a little more human, very excited to be in my final didactic semester, and determined to cook myself dinner and exercise occasionally instead of letting PA school consume every waking moment of my life but.. lets see. I will update you in a month I guess.

With love,
Kouka x

Since then, I’ve realized I have quite a few kitchen things that I genuinely love and use all the time, so I thought I’d put them all in one post.

I definitely gravitate toward things that are bright and colorful. I know kitchen things are supposed to be practical, but I also want the things I use every single day to make me happy. So, here are my current favorites:

1. Fellow Aiden Coffee Machine

I got this a few months ago after asking for coffee machine recommendations on Instagram, and this was one of the ones you guys suggested. I adore it.

I’m really not an espresso-or-latte-at-home person. Tbh, I just like simple coffee, and a bit of soy or oat milk. This has been perfect for exactly that. It makes as much or as little coffee as I want, keeps it warm, and is incredibly easy to use. I also love that it’s attractive, doesn’t take up a ridiculous amount of counter space, and is super easy to clean.

2. Fellow Kettle

I’ve had this for about a year and absolutely adore it. First of all, it’s baby blue. I love that it keeps my water warm and that I can control the exact temperature.

I truly never thought a bougie kettle was something I needed in life, but after switching from my Amazon Basics kettle to this, I am deliriously happy with my decision. I use it for my evening tea basically every day. There really is something to be said for having nice versions of the boring things you use constantly.

3. Our Place Always Pan

I see so much hate for this pan, and I don’t really understand it. I’ve had mine for over a year, it isn’t dented, it doesn’t have burn marks all over it, and it’s still incredibly easy to clean. I use it for pretty much everything. It also comes with a steamer basket, which I use for rice cakes and anything else I want to steam. And, obviously, I love the colour.

4. Our Place Rice Cooker

I was previously a firm believer that rice cookers should be Japanese and Japanese only, but I actually really like this one. It’s incredibly simple to use, comes with a wooden rice paddle, and looks so cute sitting in my kitchen. I also like that the cooking surface isn’t plastic.

5. GreenPan Cookware

I have basically the whole collection and use these constantly. I love the gold hardware, they’re easy to cook with, and perhaps most importantly, they’re easy to clean. They’re also cookware I don’t mind leaving out because they actually look nice.

6. HEGE Open Fire Pot + Lid

My manager gifted me this donabe and I love it. It’s one of those things that is both functional and so beautiful that you can put it straight on the table. I especially love making rice dishes and congee in it. The wooden lid also smells amazing when it gets warm, which makes the whole experience feel approximately 40% fancier than it actually is.

7. Our Place Mini Pot

This is objectively not an essential kitchen purchase, but I love mini things, so naturally I love her. I mostly use it to boil eggs, and it also comes with a tiny frying pan. It’s perfect when you need to make something small and don’t want to dirty a whole-ass saucepan for one egg. Tiny, cute and useful.

8. Material Kitchen Knife Stand

One of the less exciting things on this list but probably one of the things I use most. The knives just snap magnetically onto it, so they’re easy to grab and put away, and it looks so much nicer on the counter than a traditional knife block. It’s one of those things I got for aesthetics and ended up loving for practicality.

9. Koala Eco Kitchen Products

A slightly random addition, but I keep a few Koala Eco products in my kitchen and really like them. Everything smells amazing, the ingredients are simple, and they look nice enough that I don’t mind having them sitting out by the sink. My hands can also get irritated by harsher cleaning products, and these have been much gentler for me.

10. HexClad Cutting Board

My little hexagon-shaped cutting board. I adore her. As you may be able to tell, she could probably do with being oiled a little more frequently, but otherwise she’s great. I used to have an enormous wooden chopping board that was beautiful but wildly impractical in a small nyc kitchen.

This one is small enough to put away easily, big enough for almost everything I cook, and has basically replaced every other cutting board I own.

Anyways, this probably isn’t the most groundbreaking post, but I genuinely love reading other people’s recommendations and reviews, even when I have absolutely no intention of buying whatever they’re talking about.

I hope you like these slightly random posts because I have approximately a million things I want to talk about and write about, and I love having this little corner of the internet to do it.

Thanks for being here and reading my ramblings.

As always, with love,

Kouka

These are my favourite restaurants in New York City by category. I’m not saying these are objectively the best restaurants in the city, these are just my favourites. It’s a mix of the food, quality, price, ambience, nostalgia, and just how happy I feel when I leave.

For example, I’m sure there are Japanese restaurants that serve better sushi than Sushi Yasaka. But if I leave $300 poorer, it honestly sours the experience for me. To make this list, a restaurant has to leave me feeling happy and full, not just full and wondering if I got ripped off.

Korean: Cho Dang Gol

My favourite restaurant in New York City. They make the tofu in-house and bring you a fresh batch as soon as you sit down. The rice is incredible, the soups are so good they genuinely make me want to cry, and the unlimited banchan is always fresh, healthy, and delicious.

I genuinely feel like I could eat here every single day of my life.

The only downside? Getting in is an absolute nightmare. I swear the only way is to show up at 4 p.m. on a weekday, so basically... you can’t have a job. Worth it.

Thai: Thai Diner

I hate that I love this place so much because it’s become such an Instagram restaurant... but the food really is that good.

This is coming from someone who basically spent every Christmas holiday growing up in Thailand. Every dish I’ve had here has been fantastic. You genuinely can’t go wrong. And if the mango sticky rice is in season, order it. It is always worth it, no matter how full you are.

Japanese: Sushi

Sushi Yasaka

My favourite sushi restaurant in New York. A follower actually DM’d me this recommendation when I first moved to the Upper West Side, and I’ve been obsessed ever since.

The agedashi tofu is completely out of this world. Everything is fresh, delicious, and surprisingly affordable for New York. It’s one of my favourite date-night spots.

Soba & Udon

Raku

It’s the perfect place in winter when all you want is a giant bowl of something warm and comforting. Every bowl feels like a hug.

Vietnamese: Saigon Shack

Every time my family visits New York, this is one of the places they ask to go. The catfish pho and the catfish bánh mì are my favourites. I love this place so much.

The only problem is that it’s near NYU, (my alma mater) and now that I live on the Upper West Side, it’s just a little too far for me to visit as often as I’d like.

American:

Bagels: Popup Bagels

One of my Gen Z friends introduced me to this place, and they’re now my favourite bagels in New York. Which is saying something considering the number of bagels I’ve inhaled over the past 12 years.

They’re boiled and baked right in front of you, and the Maldon salt bagel with nothing more than good butter is honestly one of my favourite things to eat.

On a crisp autumn morning, grab 3 salt bagels + butter, pick up a hot cup of tea, and take a slow walk through Central Park.

Dinner: Minetta Tavern

Whenever I have friends visiting from outside the US., this is where I take them. It’s such a crowd-pleaser. The ambience is incredible, the food is consistently delicious, and while it’s definitely the most expensive restaurant on this list, I’ve never once left feeling like it wasn’t worth it.

It’s one of those places that always hits the spot.

With Love,

Kouka

xx

But I love empties posts because influencers are constantly being sent and promoting new products (no shade, we all have bills), and I think there’s something very different about seeing what someone actually used until the very last drop. So here is this month’s bag of rubbish.

Skincare

Le Labo Lip Balm

TBH, I wasn’t a massive fan of this. I mostly finished it because it was expensive and I felt like I had to. There’s just something about the formula that almost made my lips feel almost drier after using it. It’s made with shea butter and has a very simple formula, which I thought I would love, but it just didn’t really do it for me.

Goop Beauty Vitamin C Brightening Serum

I was gifted this and actually really enjoyed the experience of using it. It’s silky, feels lovely on the skin, and I used it consistently every morning and evening. I can’t say I noticed a dramatic difference in my skin, but I really liked having it in my routine. I did go through it surprisingly quickly though

Paula’s Choice Pro-Collagen Peptide Plumping Moisturizer

You guys already know. I talk about this constantly because I genuinely love it. It’s lightweight enough for summer but still leaves my skin feeling properly moisturised. I also love that it comes in a pump rather than a pot because I’m not dipping my fingers into the product every day. Their Pro-Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm is also brilliant and has become one of my everyday lip balms.

Sulwhasoo First Care Activating Serum

I really liked this. It’s incredibly thin and lightweight but still feels surprisingly moisturising. It layers beautifully underneath everything else in my skincare routine and just feels lovely going onto the skin.

Dr. Idriss Major Fade Disco Block SPF 50

I wear suncream every single day, I really liked this one. It’s SPF 50, easy to wear, and I love that it’s from a dermatologist-founded skincare brand.

Anything that makes daily sunscreen application easy, is a easy yes from me.

DECORTÉ Liposome Advanced Cream

I really enjoyed this cream. It’s thick and nourishing, so I particularly loved using it on nights when my skin felt like it needed an extra oomph of moisture. Mine was a smaller size, and I went through it pretty quickly, but it was lovely while it lasted.

L’Oréal Revitalift Moisturizer

A slightly random one because I pretty much exclusively used this on my neck. It’s lightweight, layers easily, and was nice to throw on every morning and evening without thinking too much about it.

Body Products

La Roche-Posay Daily Repair Moisturizing Lotion

I adored this. As you can probably tell from the fact that I literally cut the bottle open to scrape out the last bit. I went through it incredibly quickly because I was using it morning and evening. It’s lightweight, absorbs almost immediately, doesn’t leave that sticky body-lotion feeling, and made my skin feel ridiculously soft. Just a fantastic everyday body moisturiser.

Fur Body Scrub

I love a good body scrub and this was a really nice one. It’s exfoliating without feeling overly harsh, and I used it around once a week in the shower. My skin always felt incredibly smooth afterwards.

Koba Body Lotion

I absolutely loved this. I loved the smell. I loved the texture. I loved how it felt on my skin. That’s basically the entire review.

Nopalera Body Scrub

This one makes me laugh because I opened it, put it in my bathroom... and then my sister came to stay with me. By the time she left, most of it was gone. So technically this is partly her empty. I did manage to use some of it and it smells incredible. I love a good body polish and everything I’ve tried from Nopalera smells delicious.

Hair

UNOVE Hair Oil

I like this brand. UNOVE is a Korean haircare brand and genuinely every product I’ve tried from them has made my hair feel ridiculously silky. I had the travel-sized hair oil and brought it with me on basically every trip over the past few months. It’s lightweight, easy to use, and made my hair feel soft without weighing it down.

Oribe Hair Oil

I think I’ve had this bottle for almost two years. It’s probably one of the best hair oils I’ve ever used. You definitely have to be careful with the amount, one or two pumps is perfect, but go too far and suddenly your hair looks like it hasn’t been washed in seven business days.

It makes my hair feel beautiful and I also love how ridiculously luxurious it smells. My only complaint is the price, so I tend to stock up whenever they have their annual sale.

Briogeo Scalp Revival

I originally bought this because I was trying to be better about taking care of my scalp and growing my hair. It contains rosemary oil and I used it as a pre-wash scalp treatment every other time I washed my hair. I’d leave it on for anywhere from 20 minutes to a few hours and then shampoo normally.

I particularly liked it when my scalp felt dry (and dandruffy in the winter), and my hair always felt glossy and healthy afterwards.

K18 Leave-In Molecular Repair Hair Mask

You guys already know how I feel about K18. This is probably my favourite product I’ve ever used on my hair. The difference was amazing the first few times I used it. My hair felt softer, smoother, and just generally healthier.

Interestingly, after using it consistently for a while, I stopped noticing that dramatic effect every time. I was complaining about this to a friend who knows far more about haircare than I do and she basically pointed out that I’ve probably just gotten used to my hair being nicer. Which I guess is fair. It’s still doing exactly what it’s supposed to do. I’ve just apparently become accustomed to the luxury.

L’ANGE Happy Roots Pre-Cleanse Clarifying Wash

I’ve really liked this as a little pre-wash step. It’s a clarifying scalp treatment that helps remove product buildup, excess oil, and dead skin. I massage it directly into my scalp, leave it on for about 10 minutes, and then follow with my shampoo and conditioner. I use quite a lot of products in my hair, so I feel like this gives my scalp a proper reset before I wash it. I’ve especially noticed a difference with buildup and flakes, and my scalp just feels so much cleaner afterwards.

L’ANGE Happy Roots Hydrating Scalp Serum

I’ve been using this leave-in scalp serum about once a week after I wash my hair. I apply it directly to my scalp while my hair is still wet, especially when my scalp is feeling particularly dry or dehydrated. It’s lightweight, easy to massage in, and I love that you don’t have to rinse it out. I’ve been trying to be much better about actually taking care of my scalp rather than focusing exclusively on my hair, and this has been such an easy little addition to my routine.

I genuinely love doing empties because it forces me to slow down and think about what I actually use versus what just sits in my bathroom looking pretty.

And with the amount of beauty products I’m lucky enough to be sent, finishing something completely says a lot.

With love,
Kouka x

*None of this is sponsored or paid. These are simply things I’ve enjoyed and used consistently. If you do work for any of these brands and want to sponsor a full-time student, though… I wouldn’t say no.

I’ve linked items through my ShopMy. I may earn a small commission on some purchases, but truly no pressure. Mostly just grateful you’re here reading!

Every year, I go through a phase where the thought of turning on the oven makes me want to cry, and I’ve basically been surviving off cold noodle salads. This one has been on repeat.

It’s fresh, full of protein, comes together in about ten minutes, and is one of those meals that somehow feels incredibly nourishing without being heavy.

The dressing is also my favourite part. Most Green Goddess noodle salads use a peanut dressing, but I’ve never really been a peanut dressing girl. Instead, I make a super simple sesame-ponzu dressing that feels lighter and lets all the fresh ingredients shine.

I also rinse the noodles with ice water after cooking. It cools them down immediately, stops them overcooking, and gives them that lovely chewy texture you get at Japanese restaurants.

I washed it all down with one of my favourite Wildwonder prebiotic + probiotic drinks, which felt like the perfect little summer lunch.

Serves 2:

Ingredients

• 2 packs udon noodles (frozen or packaged)

• 250g cooked shrimp

• 1 cup shelled edamame

• 1 cucumber, thinly sliced

• 2 spring onions, finely sliced

• Sesame seeds (optional)

Sesame Ponzu Dressing

• 2 tbsp ponzu

• 2 tbsp Japanese sesame dressing

• 1 tsp sesame oil

How I make it:

1. Cook the udon according to the packet instructions. Immediately rinse under cold running water, then transfer to a bowl of ice water (or just one big ice cube like me if you dont have normal ice) until completely chilled. Drain well.

2. Slice the cucumber and spring onions. If using frozen edamame, cook according to the packet instructions and allow to cool.

3. Whisk together: ponzu, Japanese sesame dressing and sesame oil

4. Add the chilled udon to a large bowl: shrimp, edamame, cucumber, spring onions and cilantro.

5. Pour over the dressing and toss until everything is coated.

Finish with sesame seeds if you’d like a little extra crunch.

Dietitian Note: This is one of my favourite balanced summer meals because it has everything I want after a long day. The shrimp and edamame provide plenty of protein, the cucumber adds hydration and crunch, and the udon gives you carbohydrates for energy without feeling too heavy.

It’s exactly the sort of meal I crave when it’s too hot to cook but I still want something nourishing.

With love,

Kouka x

There was lots of football (congratulations Spain!), lots of family time, and lots of exploring the city together. It was such a special month. Here are the things I’ve been loving:

Fashion

Haven Well Within Cotton Linen Strappy Midi Dress

I basically lived in this dress every weekend throughout July. It’s the most beautiful colour, incredibly comfortable, and... it has pockets.

I don’t usually gravitate towards dresses, but this one has completely converted me. It’s light enough for the heat, easy to throw on, and somehow makes me feel effortlessly put together. Did I mention it has pockets?

Beauty

Dore & Rose Silk Eye Mask

My sister bought me this because my new apartment is so much brighter than my old one. It’s made from 100% silk and, unlike every other eye mask I’ve owned, it actually stays on all night because you can tighten the strap at the back. She also bought me the leopard print one because apparently it gave Kouka, which I appreciate haha.

Sekkisei Herbal Gel

I absolutely adore this moisturiser.

It’s lightweight and gel-like, which makes it perfect for summer, but it’s still incredibly hydrating. I always struggle to describe moisturisers beyond “my skin likes it,” but honestly... my skin really likes it. I finished an entire pot this month and immediately opened another one, which probably says everything.

Nopalera Cactus Body Scrub

I love a good body scrub. My sister stayed with me for a week and by the time she left, about 90% of this tub had disappeared, so I’m assuming she loved it too.

Everything from Nopalera smells incredible, but the cactus scent is definitely my favourite.

Finding Ferdinand Lip Balm – Mois Chéri

I’m much more of a tinted balm person than a lipstick or gloss person. I also weirdly love lip colours with a soft orange undertone. Not bright orange, obviously, but something warm that just seems to suit my skin tone.

I’ve been reaching for Mois Chéri constantly this month. It gives the prettiest wash of colour and makes me feel a little more put together without looking like I’m wearing much makeup.

K18 AirWash Dry Shampoo

I hate how good this is. I also hate how expensive it is. Unfortunately, it is hands down the best dry shampoo I’ve ever used. It somehow refreshes my hair without making it feel chalky or heavy, and I’ve found myself reaching for it constantly between wash days. I wish I didn’t love it as much as I do given the price!

CurrentBody Red Light Therapy Mask

I officially have to admit that I’m a red light mask convert. The funny thing is that I don’t notice how much it helps until I stop using it.

My skin breaks out less, feels calmer, and just looks healthier when I’m consistent with it. There’s a growing body of research behind red light therapy, and for me personally, I’ve genuinely noticed a difference.

EADEM Daily Sunscreen & Blurring Primer Stick

This lives permanently in my bag. I’m normally not the biggest fan of stick sunscreens, but this one is different. It has this soft, almost velvety finish that makes my skin feel smoother after I apply it. I’m incredibly religious about sunscreen, especially in the summer, and this has made reapplying throughout the day so much easier.

Fragrance

Lake & Skye 11:11

I love fragrances that smell clean rather than perfume-y. This is light, fresh, and effortless. I keep the rollerball version in my bag and use it throughout the day whenever I want a little refresh. I’ve also had quite a few compliments while wearing it, which is always nice.

Random favourites

Mejuri Paper Clip Bracelet

I absolutely love this bracelet. I have tiny wrists, so bracelets are usually far too big on me, but this one fits perfectly. I also love that you can add charms to it over time. I’ve always had a soft spot for charm bracelets, and every time I look down at my wrist it just makes me happy.

Anyday Silicone Storage

I know I’ve talked about these before, but they really are one of my favourite kitchen purchases. I use them for absolutely everything, leftovers, chopped vegetables, marinating food, freezing ingredients, and keeping produce fresh. They’re made from silicone, so you can microwave them, freeze them, pop them in the dishwasher, and even use them for sous vide if you’re fancy. They’ve almost completely replaced plastic wrap in my kitchen.

I recommend them to absolutely everyone, especially if you’re trying to cut down on single-use plastic.

The dairy phone case:

I got the Rusk Polka Dot and the Mootini cases for myself and this shark case for my sister his month and we love them so much. It’s one of those silly little purchases that just makes me smile every time I pick up my phone. It also feels surprisingly protective, which is important considering the number of times I drop my phone. Pretty and practical is always a win in my book.

Restaurants

Whenever my dad visits New York, he has a running list of restaurants that we absolutely have to revisit. These were our go to family spots:

1. Minetta Tavern: We came here to celebrate and had the loveliest evening. My dad always orders the Black Label Burger, and I completely understand why it’s become so iconic.

2. Xi’an Famous Foods: This is one of my dad’s favourite lunch spots whenever he’s in New York. He’s obsessed with the lamb hand-pulled noodles. I always order the vegan dumplings extra spicy, and they never disappoint.

3. SourAji: This was the first time my sister and I introduced my dad to SourAji. It’s all-you-can-eat omakase sushi and we had such a fun evening. At the end they asked if anyone wanted more wagyu nigiri... My dad ordered twenty pieces. Its always so fun going to restaurants with my father because I get to try so many dishes without feeling like im going to waste dishes!

   Favourite Memory:

I’m adding a new category this month because this genuinely became one of my favourite memories of the summer. The Mets hosted a Japanese Heritage Night, so my sister and I went together. Beforehand we went to Flushing for what might be my favourite crab xiao long bao’s in New York, and then spent the evening watching baseball. I’ll be honest... I still don’t fully understand baseball scoring. But I absolutely loved the atmosphere. The Los Angeles Dodgers won, and getting to see Shohei Ohtani play in person was incredibly special. I genuinely can’t believe that after twelve years in New York, this was my first Mets game.

It definitely won’t be my last!

With love,

Kouka

xx

If you can’t tell already, I absolutely love writing these Substack posts. If I’m being honest, I think I love it even more than Instagram at the moment. I haven’t even edited the video for this recipe yet (I’ve had 3 exams and 2 quizzes this week!) but I got so excited after making it that I wanted to post it here first.

This is one of those meals that looks like something you’d order at a restaurant but genuinely takes less than 15 minutes if your rice is already cooked.

Serves 2

Ingredients

For the Bowl

• 2 cups cooked purple rice (or Japanese rice)

• 200g sushi-grade salmon, sliced

• 1 ripe avocado, sliced

• 2 scallions, finely sliced

• Sesame seeds (optional)

Soy-Sake Cured Salmon

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp sake

• 1 tsp mirin

• ½ tsp sesame oil (optional)

Soy-Cured Egg Yolks

• 2 egg yolks

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp mirin

How I Make It

1. Separate the egg yolks carefully and place them in a small bowl. Pour over the soy sauce and mirin and leave to cure for 30–60 minutes while you prepare everything else. The yolks become silky, rich, and almost jam-like

2. Mix together the soy sauce, sake, mirin and sesame oil. Slice the salmon into bite-sized pieces and pop it in the marinade. Leave in the fridge for 20–30 minutes (or up to an hour)

3. Divide the rice between two bowls. Top with: soy-sake cured salmon, sliced avocado, cured egg yolk, scallions, sesame seeds

4. Then break the yolk and gently mix everything together. The cured yolk coats the rice, salmon, and avocado, creating the perfect sauce, you really don’t need anything else.

Dietitian note: This is one of my favourite balanced meals because it has everything I want after a long day. The salmon provides high-quality protein and omega-3 fats, the avocado adds healthy fats and fibre, and the purple rice provides slow-digesting carbohydrates to keep you full.

Exactly the kind of dinner I want after eight hours of lectures.

With love,

Kouka x

When it’s hot outside, I naturally gravitate toward meals that are light, refreshing, and don’t leave me feeling weighed down. My fridge ends up stocked with the same staples every year because they make throwing together a nourishing meal incredibly easy.

These are the ingredients I rely on every summer to help me stay cool and hydrated, with minimal cooking required. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here’s exactly what you’ll find in my kitchen all summer long!

Pantry Staples

Shio Konbu (Japanese salted kelp)

Shio konbu is salty, umami-packed shredded kelp, and it’s one of my favourite ingredients. I love tossing it with freshly sliced cucumbers for the easiest summer side dish imaginable.

It’s delicious on its own, adds an incredible savoury boost to vegetables, and is also a nice way to include more seaweed in your diet. Seaweed provides iodine, which supports thyroid function, along with small amounts of iron and plant-based omega-3 fats.

Brown Rice Paper

My local Japanese supermarket sells brown rice paper wrappers, and I always keep a pack in the cupboard.

I fill them with vermicelli noodles, lettuce, cucumber, thinly sliced carrots, herbs, and shrimp, then dip them into sweet chilli sauce. It’s one of the only meals I genuinely crave when it’s the middle of summer and I’ve completely lost my appetite.

Vermicelli Noodles

I absolutely love Vietnamese food, so vermicelli noodles are a pantry staple for me.

They cook in just a few minutes, sometimes I don’t even bother boiling them and simply let them soften in hot water. They’re perfect for noodle salads, spring rolls, stir-fries, or rice bowls, and they’re surprisingly filling while still feeling light.

Sōmen + Tsuyu

This is my ultimate summer comfort meal. I cook sōmen noodles, rinse them under cold water, and serve them with tsuyu + ice cubes for an easy makeshift zaru sōmen. Then I add spring onions, shredded nori, toasted sesame seeds, and, if I’m feeling ambitious, a soft-boiled egg.

It reminds me of home every single time. It’s refreshing, comforting, and exactly what I want on a hot day.

Fridge Staples

Mugicha (Barley Tea)

Barley tea is one of my absolute favourite drinks.

Every summer I brew huge jugs and keep them in the fridge so there’s always some ready to pour. It’s naturally caffeine-free, incredibly refreshing, and what you’ll find in almost every Japanese household during the warmer months. I genuinely crave it once the weather gets hot.

Yuzu Ponzu

If summer had a flavour, it would be yuzu ponzu. It’s a bright, citrusy soy sauce that somehow makes everything taste fresher. I pour it over chilled silken tofu, tuna sashimi, grilled fish, steamed vegetables, you really can’t go wrong.

Edamame

Possibly the easiest snack ever. I steam a bowl, sprinkle over flaky salt, and snack on them straight from the pod. They’re packed with protein and fibre, and they’re one of those foods that instantly remind me of Japanese summers.

Kimchi

You already know how much I love kimchi, I love supporting my gut microbiome, and I love adding a little to almost everything. Scrambled eggs, noodles, rice bowls etc it makes every meal more interesting. Plus, spicy foods can actually help you feel cooler by encouraging sweating, which is your body’s natural cooling system (the more you know hehe).

Silken Tofu

Silken tofu is my favourite high-protein summer meal when it’s simply too hot to eat. A drizzle of ponzu, grated ginger, spring onions, sesame seeds, and shredded nori is all it needs. It’s refreshing, packed with protein, and one of my favourite “I can’t be bothered to cook” meals.

Homemade Tsukemono

Every summer I become slightly obsessed with making Japanese pickles. My fridge fills up with little mason jars packed with colourful vegetables sitting in salt, konbu, vinegar, chilli, and whatever else I’m experimenting with that week. They’re crunchy, refreshing, and make every meal feel a little more complete. I’ll make a video showing you how I make them one day because I’m genuinely quite proud of my pickles.

These are the ingredients that make summer cooking feel a bit easier.They’re simple, nourishing, and endlessly mix-and-matchable, so even when it’s far too hot to cook, I can still put together something satisfying in minutes. I hope this is helpful!

With love,

Kouka

xx

My relationship with food has been interesting. It probably began when I started modeling at 12. I was naturally thin, yet constantly told I had to stay thin. Food was never neutral, it was something to manage, monitor, and be aware of. I’ve never had an eating disorder, but I think most women have gone through periods where their relationship with food felt strained or heavy. I certainly have. But at 29, I can say I finally have a peaceful relationship with food.

I eat what I want and i’m happy with my body. And that feels like a win. Here are the nutrition principles that I try to live by:

1. There Is No Such Thing as “Bad” Food

It genuinely bothers me when I see food described as “clean” or “guilt-free.” No food is morally good or bad. The language that we use around food really matters and demonizing food groups creates shame, not health.

Health is about patterns, not single meals. You are not virtuous for eating a salad, and you are not failing for eating cake. Enjoy it but please don’t mindlessly eat it. Actually enjoy it.

2. Add, Don’t Restrict

One of the simplest habits that has made the biggest difference for me is including a vegetable at most meals.

It doesn’t have to be complicated. I often steam a big batch of spinach and add it to whatever I’m eating. Or when I’m very tired just have baby carrots on the side of my sushi lunch. It takes minimal planning, but it genuinely changes how I feel, energy-wise and digestion-wise. Nutrition doesn’t need to be aesthetic or complicated. It just needs to be consistent.

3. If You’re Going to Have It, Enjoy the Best

I don’t eat sweets every day, but when I do, I want them to be worth it. I’d rather have a piece of delicious high quality chocolate that I love than something mediocre out of habit. When you truly enjoy what you’re eating, you often need less of it.

4. “Eat Food. Not Too Much. Mostly Plants.”

One of my favorite quotes is from Michael Pollan:

“Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants.”

I love it because it’s simple and so true.

Eat food: Real food, food you recognize, food that resembles where it came from.

Not too much: I practice something similar to hara hachi bu, the Japanese idea of eating until you’re about 80% full. Pause. Give your body 10–15 minutes. If you’re still hungry, eat more. Let your body speak before your mind jumps in.

Mostly plants: I’m not telling you to be vegan if you don’t want to be. Just more plants. Most people could benefit from incorporating more vegetables, legumes, fruits, and whole grains in their diet. It doesn’t have to be dramatic. It just has to happen regularly, as regularly as you can.

5. Most People Don’t Need More Information: they need to feel less shame around food

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all statement, and if you have or have had an eating disorder, this may not apply to you. But for many people, the issue isn’t a lack of information. It’s the shame that our culture puts on food.

Most people don’t need another macronutrient breakdown or another restrictive food rule. They need permission to stop feeling guilty for eating.

Food Should Fit Into Your Life

If your entire mental bandwidth is consumed by food, something has likely gone a bit too far. Food should support your life, not become the center of it. Not every meal has to be perfect. I’m a dietitian, and sometimes dinner is just dinner. It’s not perfectly balanced. It could be more nutritious. And it’s fine. I’m trying my best.

The biggest thing I’ve learned isn’t about protein targets or gut health trends. It’s that Nutrition should feel calm. If your food rules make you anxious or are overly rigid, something is not quite right.

You can be knowledgeable about nutrition without being obsessive. You can care about health without punishing yourself. You can enjoy food and still take care of your body.

And that, to me feels like the healthiest place to land.

As always, with love,

Kouka x

I got my dream apartment, made it half way through semester three (which everyone keeps telling me is the hardest semester of PA school... can you believe it?), and have spent an embarrassing amount of time on Pinterest planning my dream home. I’m slowly getting there!

With my move at the end of the month, a lot of my favourites have actually been practical things rather than beauty products. If you’re moving anytime soon, hopefully a few of these are helpful. Also, there are fewer favourites than usual this month. Between school and moving, I simply haven’t been trying as many new things as I normally do.

Fashion

Sonderhaus Linen Trousers

I have worn these almost every single day this month. They’re soft, lightweight, and somehow don’t feel see-through, which is surprisingly difficult to find with linen trousers. They’re relaxed enough to be comfortable but still polished enough that I convince myself they’re business casual for school. They’ve become my summer uniform.

Aritzia Artisan pants

On the days I’m not wearing my Sonderhaus trousers, I’m wearing these.

They’re light, breathable, perfect for the heat, and most importantly... long enough for us 6’0 girls. Finding trousers that actually reach my ankles is a genuine life achievement.

Songmont Bags

I don’t get commission from Songmont and I gain absolutely nothing by talking about them, but I have carried these two bags religiously this month. The Large Yore tote in Raisin has become my everyday school bag. The straps are the perfect length, it fits everything I need for class, and the chocolate brown colour is beautiful.

The Lattice bucket bag is what I carry whenever I’m not at school. It’s the perfect size for errands, brunch, the gym, or walking around the city. It somehow fits everything I need without feeling bulky, I got the black but I wish I had gotten the brown or the white for summer instead.

Pact Organic Cotton Underwear

Potentially TMI... but considering 98% of you are women, I think we’re good. At the end of last year I decided I wanted to become an organic cotton underwear person and replaced my entire collection with Pact.

They’re definitely an investment, but I genuinely love them. They’re soft, comfortable, breathable, and one of those little everyday upgrades that makes a surprisingly big difference.

Beauty

Emi Jay Hair Clip

I hate that these hair clips are as good as they are because they’re almost $40.

I actually received mine as a party favour and I’ve worn it almost every single day since. It’s an AAPI-owned brand, which I love supporting, and as someone who practically lives in a claw clip, I’ve never had one hold my hair this securely.

Once it’s in, it genuinely doesn’t move. Unfortunately... I fear I now have expensive taste.

Koba Body Lotion

The best body lotion I’ve ever tried. It’s lightweight, smells beautiful, absorbs quickly, and isn’t greasy at all. As someone who moisturises my entire body every single day after showering, I don’t say that lightly.

Nopalera Bosque Místico Cactus Body Cream

I adore the scent of this. I’ve been decanting it into my Cadence capsules and carrying it around as a hand cream throughout the day. There’s something incredibly comforting about putting on a nice hand cream halfway through a stressful pharmacology lecture.

KOSÉ Sekkisei Herbal UV Defence Gel

My only complaint is that the tube is only 30ml because I know I will fly through it. The formula is beautiful. It’s lightweight, gel-like, disappears into the skin, and feels especially lovely during the summer when I don’t want anything heavy on my face.

Jewelery

Jenny Bird Nelle Hoop Earrings

I’ve worn these almost every single day since I got them. They’re chunky enough to make every outfit feel finished, but still understated enough to wear every single day. They’ve become part of my daily business casual uniform for school.

Linjer 14k shimmer chain necklace

I love this piece, it’s so sparkly and pretty. I haven’t taken it off since I got it and I love how dainty and pretty I feel with it on. Its also from sustainable recyclable gold and so pretty

Home

Jono Pandolfi Pottery

I was invited to a Jono Pandolfi sample sale and somehow left with an alarming amount of pottery. Now that I have a patio, I’m planning on hosting friends much more often and these colourful bowls make me ridiculously happy.

They’re beautiful, dishwasher safe, incredibly sturdy, and exactly the sort of pieces I hope to fill my future home with one day.

Kawa Water Bottle

This is admittedly a very simple favourite. It’s just... pretty.

I take it to school every day and it genuinely makes me happier seeing it sitting on my desk during lectures. If something encourages me to drink more water, I’m all for it.

Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent (Murasaki Jasmine Matcha)

This is one of those purchases I intentionally saved for my new apartment because my new apartment finally has an in-unit washing machine. I wanted something that made doing laundry feel exciting. I also love how my clothes feel when they come out of the wash, they’re just.. softer and my clothes are happier.. does that even make sense?

It smells incredible and somehow makes washing clothes feel slightly luxurious.

Flamingo Estate

I have completely fallen down the Flamingo Estate rabbit hole. The tomato leaf scent is probably one of my favourite fragrances ever.

I’ve been using the hand soap, the enormous tomato soap brick, and burning the tomato candle throughout the month. They make my apartment smell like an expensive greenhouse and I absolutely love it.

Moving Essentials

Under Sink Organiser

My bathroom cupboards are tiny, so this has been a lifesaver.

Everything has its place now and I no longer have to dig around trying to find toothpaste or skincare hidden at the back of the cupboard.

Legging Organiser

One hanger holds around twenty pairs of leggings.

I now keep all my running shorts on one hanger and all my leggings on another, and I’ve realised I actually wear so many more of them because I can finally see what I own.

Moving Bags

I genuinely don’t understand why moving boxes are so expensive in America. Given how often I’ve moved over the past twelve years, I got tired of buying cardboard boxes only to throw them away afterwards. I bought a set of these heavy-duty moving bags after seeing them on TikTok and they’ve been brilliant. They’re sturdy, reusable, hold an incredible amount, and have completely replaced cardboard boxes for me.

June has felt like the beginning of a completely new chapter. A new apartment, new routines, halfway through the hardest semester of PA school, and so many little things slowly coming together. I can’t wait to show you what the apartment becomes over the next few months.

With love,

Kouka x

I also think the hardest part of eating well isn’t usually the cooking itself, it’s deciding what to make when you’re tired and hungry. Having things prepped removes half the battle. This is everything I prepped this week:

Cranberry Raisin Bread

I (bought) a loaf of cranberry raisin bread from Costco and immediately sliced and froze it because otherwise I know it would go bad before I finished it. I do not have the time to be making my own bread right now unfortunately.

I just toast a slice every morning to have with strawberry jam and almond butter and it feels significantly more comforting than plain toast.

Lasts: 1 month frozen

Frozen Garlic & Olive Oil Cubes

One of my favourite little habits.

I freeze olive oil and garlic in the Anyday mini silicone freezer trays so I can just throw a cube into a pan whenever I cook. It makes weeknight cooking so much easier and somehow makes me feel more organised than I actually am.

How I Make Them:

• 1 whole bulb garlic, finely minced

• Olive oil

Mix together and spoon into silicone trays. Freeze overnight and transfer to a freezer bag.

Perfect for: soups, fried rice, sautéed vegetables

Lasts: 2–3 months frozen

Yellow Lentil Soup

This week I made a big blended lentil soup. I store them in these glass Anyday containers and they last perfectly. It’s super easy to make, creamy, full of fiber, protein and just easy to reheat during the week. And also feels very nourishing.

I blend everything up in my Vitamix until smooth. It’s filling, high in fibre, comforting, and very easy to eat between study sessions when I cannot be bothered to chew excessively.

Ingredients

• 1 onion, chopped

• 2 carrots, chopped

• 2 garlic cubes (from above)

• 1 can tomatoes

• 1 cup yellow lentils, soaked

• 1–2 potatoes, chopped

• Big handful spinach

• 4 cups broth

• Salt, Pepper,

• Optional: 1 tsp cumin, 1/2 tsp turmeric, chili flakes

How I Make It

1. Add garlic cube, Sauté onions and carrots until soft.

2. Add tomatoes, lentils, potatoes, broth, and seasonings.

3. Simmer until everything is soft.

4. Add spinach at the end.

5. Blend in the Vitamix until smooth.

Japanese-Style Spinach

I always need some kind of vegetable ready in the fridge or I suddenly realise I haven’t eaten anything green in two days. This week I made sautéed spinach Japanese-style with sesame flavours. Very simple, very good over rice.

Ingredients

• 1 large bunch spinach

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp sesame oil

• 1 tbsp surigoma (ground sesame seeds)

• Pinch sugar

How I Make It

1. Blanch spinach for ~30 seconds.

2. Rinse under cold water and squeeze out excess liquid.

3. Chop into bite-sized pieces.

4. Mix with soy sauce, sesame oil, surigoma, and sugar.

Perfect over rice.

Lasts: 3–4 days in fridge

Miso Salmon

I portioned and froze salmon individually so I can just air fry one or two portions before school. This has genuinely saved me from ordering takeout multiple times already.

Marinade

• 1 tbsp miso

• 1 tsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp mirin

• Tiny drizzle honey

• Sesame oil

How I Make It

1. Marinate salmon for at least 20 minutes.

2. Freeze individually or cook immediately.

3. Air fry at 200°C / 390°F for ~10-12 minutes.

Perfect with rice and spinach.

Lasts:

• 3 months frozen raw

• 3 days cooked in fridge

Kewpie Tuna Salad

One of those things that’s easy to forget about but makes lunches significantly easier.

Ingredients

• 1 can tuna

• Kewpie mayo

• Dijon mustard

• Black pepper

• Chopped green onions

• Optional: chopped cucumber or green onions if you’re me and don’t mind being smelly

How I Eat It: on toast, with crackers, in lettuce wraps, straight from the container after class

Lasts: 3 days in fridge

Mayak Eggs

Always.

I don’t think there has been a single meal prep post where I haven’t included these.

Ingredients

• 6 eggs

• ½ cup soy sauce

• ½ cup water

• Garlic

• Green onions

• Sesame seeds

How I Make Them

1. Boil eggs for 6½- 7 minutes for jammy eggs.

2. Peel and place in container.

3. Mix remaining ingredients and pour over eggs.

4. Refrigerate overnight.

I add them to noodles, rice bowls, soups, or just eat them standing in my kitchen when I’m starving.

Lasts: 3–4 days in fridge

I’m trying very hard this semester to make my life easier in small ways instead of harder in dramatic ones.

Having a few things ready in the fridge genuinely changes my whole week.

With love,
Kouka x

Watch me make it here:

It’s glossy, rich, peppery, and packed with umami from miso and a soy-cured egg yolk. It feels like the comfort-food version of a pantry meal—something I can throw together after a long day of classes, studying, or filming, but still look forward to eating.

Ingredients (Serves 1–2)

• 1 pack fresh or frozen udon noodles

• ½ cup unsweetened soymilk

• 1 egg + 1 egg yolk

• 1 tsp white miso paste

• 1–2 tsp soy sauce

• 1 tsp sesame oil (optional)

• 1–2 cloves garlic, minced

• ½ cup mushrooms or shrimp (optional)

• 2 scallions, sliced

• Freshly cracked black pepper

For the soy-cured egg yolk

• 1 egg yolk

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

Make the cured yolk: Place the egg yolk in a small bowl and cover with soy sauce. Let it sit for at least 30 minutes, or overnight in the refrigerator if you have time.

How to make it:

1. Cook the noodles: Cook the udon according to package directions. Drain and set aside.

2. Heat a small amount of oil in a pan. Add garlic and cook until fragrant. Add mushrooms or shrimp, if using, and cook through.

3. Make the sauce: In a bowl, whisk together the soy milk, egg, egg yolk, miso paste, soy sauce, and sesame oil until smooth.

4. Lower the heat. Add the noodles to the pan and pour over the sauce. Toss continuously until the eggs gently thicken and coat the noodles. The goal is glossy and creamy, not scrambled.

5. Transfer to a bowl. Top with scallions, plenty of black pepper, and the soy-cured egg yolk. Break the yolk and mix it through just before eating.

Dietitian Note: Comfort food doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing. This version gets its creaminess from eggs and soymilk, while miso and the cured yolk bring a lot of flavor without needing heavy cream. Add mushrooms, shrimp, or greens depending on what you have on hand, and you’ve got a meal that feels indulgent while still offering protein and staying surprisingly balanced.

With love,

Kouka x

Watch me make it here.

I love recipes that feel much fancier than the amount of effort they require.

This crispy rice bowl is one of those meals. It’s crunchy, fresh, packed with protein, and uses ingredients I almost always have sitting in my fridge or freezer.

Most crispy rice bowl recipes use a peanut dressing, which I know a lot of people love, but I’ve never been the biggest peanut sauce girl. Instead, I make a simple soy-lime dressing that feels lighter and lets the other ingredients shine.

This is one of those dinners that looks impressive enough to serve to friends but is also realistic for a Tuesday night after class.

Ingredients

For the Crispy Rice

• 2 cups cooked rice (day-old works best - I used my fav Korean purple rice)

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp chilli oil

• 1 tsp sesame oil

For the Bowl

• 250g shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1 cucumber, diced

• 1 avocado, diced

• 10 baby tomatoes, quartered

• 1 cup shelled edamame

• 2 scallions, thinly sliced

• Optional: kimchi, sesame seeds

Soy-Lime Dressing

• 2 tbsp soy sauce

• 1 tbsp rice vinegar

• 1 tbsp neutral oil or sesame oil

• 1 tsp brown sugar or honey

• Juice of ½ lime

• 1 garlic clove, grated

How I Make It

1. Crisp the Rice

Mix the cooked rice with soy sauce, chilli oil, and sesame oil.

Spread onto an air fryer tray or baking sheet and cook until golden and crispy.

Air fryer:
200°C / 390°F for 10–15 minutes

Oven:
220°C / 425°F for 20–25 minutes

2. Cook the Shrimp

Season shrimp with a little salt and pepper.

Cook in a hot pan for 2–3 minutes per side until pink and cooked through.

3. Make the Dressing

Whisk together:

• soy sauce

• rice vinegar

• oil

• brown sugar

• lime juice

• garlic

4. Assemble

Add crispy rice to a bowl.

Top with:

• cucumber

• avocado

• edamame

• shrimp

• kimchi

• scallions

Drizzle generously with dressing and finish with sesame seeds if you’re feeling fancy.

Dietitian Note: This bowl has one of my favourite combinations for staying full:

• protein from the shrimp and edamame

• fibre from the vegetables

• healthy fats from the avocado

• carbohydrates from the rice

In other words, it’s delicious and won’t have you rummaging through your cupboards for biscuits 30 minutes later.

With love,

Kouka x

Watch me make it here:

Usually there was a reason. Sometimes my rent was increased. Sometimes I was living in student housing. More recently, I moved to the Upper West Side because it’s much more convenient for PA school. Apartment hunting in New York is always difficult.

I’m sure you’ve seen the TikToks of people lining up around the block in the West Village and the stories of people paying eye-watering amounts for tiny apartments. It can feel completely impossible.

This summer, during what is arguably one of the most competitive rental seasons of the year, I somehow found my dream apartment. It’s in an even better location than where I live now, 10 steps from Central Park, within my budget, with beautiful south-facing light, an large outdoor space, a in unit washer dryer, and more storage than I know what to do with.

I genuinely couldn’t believe it. My two priorities were simple: location and natural light.

My current apartment gets very little natural light and, as someone who films content and spends a lot of time at home studying, it has been surprisingly difficult. I didn’t realise how much it affected me until I started looking at brighter apartments. I was so excited to move that I actually started looking earlier than I needed to. My original plan was to start seriously searching about a month before my lease ended because you can’t really look too early in New York. Things move incredibly fast and most listings will be gone before you ever need them.

Like everyone else, I spent time scrolling StreetEasy and Zillow. But I found that a lot of what was available felt incredibly expensive for what you were getting. Then I started hearing people talk about off-market apartments. I don’t know whether I simply got lucky, but many of the apartments I loved never seemed to make it onto the major rental websites. So I started looking at RentHop and would spend maybe ten minutes a day browsing listings while drinking my tea.

Then one day I saw the cutest apartment and immediately sent an inquiry. The estate agent called me straight away and I viewed it the next day. I submitted my application immediately afterwards. The following day I found out I’d been approved.

I think that’s one of the biggest lessons I’ve learned about apartment hunting in New York: when you find a gem, you can’t hesitate. The best apartments don’t sit around waiting for you unfortunately and you probably wont find anything better. I happened to be the first person to inquire, the first person to view it, and the first person to submit an application. Thankfully, they liked me, vouched for me and wanted me as a tenant.

And honestly, it hasn’t always been easy.

I didn’t even open my first credit card until 2020. Before that, I was rejected from more than 30 apartments because I didn’t have a US credit score. So if you’re struggling with New York housing right now, I completely understand. I’ve been there. This was actually the easiest apartment search I’ve ever had, which feels slightly surreal after years of stress.

There’s still a lot to do. I’m moving into a walk-up and I’m sure I’ll be complaining about carrying boxes up the stairs very soon. But I genuinely couldn’t be happier.

I’m already imagining fairy lights on the outdoor space, summer dinners with friends, and watching Boots explore his new kingdom. Perhaps the thing that feels most meaningful is that I found out I’d been approved for the apartment exactly 11 years after my mum passed away.

It’s probably silly but it really did feel like a sign. I felt that she was there with me somehow, watching over me and reminding me that everything is going to be okay and that I’m on the right path.

With love,

Kouka x

There’s something about PA school where time moves both incredibly quickly and painfully slowly at the exact same time. I don’t think that sentence makes any sense but hopefully someone reading this understands exactly what I mean.

I hope you enjoy these favourites posts because I genuinely love writing them. Probably even more than my recipe posts honestly, although I know the recipe posts are some of your favourites too. Don’t worry, I’ll keep doing both, and I am always so grateful to you for reading them.

Skincare

Paula’s Choice Pro Collagen Peptide Gloss Balm

I’ve talked about this before but I am still obsessed. I’ve already finished an entire tube and there’s just something about it I cannot get enough of. It makes my lips look glossy and healthy without feeling sticky and somehow always makes me feel more put together.

Krave Beauty Oat So Simple Water Cream

I love how lightweight this is. My skin genuinely drinks it up and it never feels heavy or greasy. It’s super gentle, very simple, and one of those moisturisers that just works well with everything else in my routine.

Beauty

Kosas Impressionist Multistick - Vital

I love a good multi-stick.

On most days, the only makeup I carry in my bag is a concealer and this, which probably tells you how much I use it. When I want a very simple, natural look, this is usually the first thing I reach for.

It’s creamy, moisturising, easy to blend, and somehow manages to look like actual skin rather than makeup. I use it on my cheeks and sometimes even on my lips when I want everything to look a little more cohesive.

It’s one of those products that makes you look healthier, more awake, and slightly more put together without anyone being able to tell exactly why. I love it.

Finding Ferdinand Lip Balm - The Black Chocolate

I got sent the black chocolate shade and wasn’t sure how I’d feel about it initially, but I actually really like it.

The colour is super buildable. One layer just looks like your lips but healthier, and a few layers give this really pretty berry tint. I’m not really a lipstick person, I prefer products that feel effortless and low maintenance.

Anfisa Skin ceramide Lip Tint Trio

These have been living in my bag this month.

They give a subtle glossy tint and make me feel significantly prettier with very minimal effort, which is honestly exactly what I want from makeup these days.

Fashion

Sézane Tomboy Shirt - Blue Stripes

I love Sézane tops, I’m surprised it took me this long to buy one of their classic shirts because I absolutely love it. I got a size 6 in the blue stripes pattern and it is perfect. It’s effortless, super cute, and honestly ideal for summer because I hate getting sunburnt and like having something lightweight to throw over my arms.

Guest in Residence Cardigan - Butter Combo

I got sent the Butter Combo Pebble Stripe Jane cardigan and genuinely didn’t think I would love it as much as I do.

I wear it constantly. It somehow works with everything and feels cosy without looking sloppy. Also, I’m always so appreciative when brands send me clothes. I love skincare too, but something about clothing just really excites me.

James Street Cargo Barrel Jeans - Cocoa

I’ve wanted brown trousers for the longest time and these are absolutely perfect.

They’re formal enough for school but still fun and slightly different. Also importantly for me, they’re long enough. Tall girl struggles.

Set Active - Sparkler

My manager introduced me to Set Active and I’ve been loving their little matching sets.

I got the striped oversized long sleeve and matching shorts in Sparkler and I immediately change into them when I get home from school and take off my scrubs. They’re soft, comfy, mostly cotton, and make me feel weirdly cute for something that’s essentially loungewear.

Shoes & Running

TOMS Sandals - Silver Leather

I love silver shoes because they somehow go with absolutely everything.

These were comfortable from day one, which honestly never happens for me with sandals. I wore them for an entire day immediately and had zero blisters.

Merino Wool Running Headband

I’ve finally started running again now that the weather is less horrific.

I love merino wool because it somehow keeps you cool and warm at the same time. I wear this headband constantly because I cannot deal with hair in my face while running.

Travel

Cadence Jade collection travel cubes

These have been so useful. I’m always running around and I also spend an alarming amount of time at bath houses and saunas with my friends instead of going out drinking. I use these little containers for jewellery, skincare, supplements, hair oil, basically everything. I also think that they’re wonderful gifts for your friends that travel alot and people are always so happy when I gift these to them.

Jewelry

Mejuri Peridot Necklace

I’ve recently, and very unlike me, really gotten into colour this year.

I used to wear almost exclusively neutrals, but lately I’ve been loving a more cosy maximalist vibe and adding little colourful pieces to my outfits. I also adore a necklace and wear one almost every single day.

This Mejuri peridot necklace has been one of my favourites recently. It’s delicate, pretty, and I love that it’s peridot so I can represent my August girls.

Cooking

Our Place Tiny Cookware Duo

There’s something about tiny cookware that makes me irrationally happy.

I’m six feet tall and for some reason I just adore miniature things. I use these constantly for eggs, little vegetables, quick dinners, and tiny sauces. They make cooking for one feel significantly cuter.

Homeware & Random Things

Evolve Together Hand Soap - Monaco

I love tiny luxurious household things.

A fancy hand soap genuinely improves my quality of life more than it probably should. This one smells beautiful and makes me feel like I have my life together even when I absolutely do not.

The Brick

I get distracted incredibly easily and unfortunately I’m also competitive.

The Brick basically locks distracting apps on your phone unless you physically tap your phone on the device. I keep mine magnetised to my fridge.

It sounds ridiculous but honestly? It works because humans are fundamentally lazy creatures and I apparently cannot be bothered to stand up and unlock Instagram.

Magnetic privacy screen for MacBook

I’m currently doing OB/GYN and I love studying outside whenever I can because if I spend too long indoors I genuinely start to lose my mind a little bit. The issue is that some of the lecture slides are… graphic.

So I bought a privacy screen for my laptop because I didn’t particularly want strangers at cafés accidentally seeing detailed obstetric diagrams over my shoulder.

It works incredibly well and I highly recommend one if you study or work in public a lot.

Burga Phone Case- Offline

I got a new phone recently and I absolutely love this case.

I’m currently very into the combination of light blue and brown (which are basically my favourite colours), and this one makes me disproportionately happy every time I look at it.

It’s sturdy, protective, and genuinely very cute which is honestly all I ask for in a phone case.

Sheba Cat Treats

Not to brag, but my son is officially a Sheba ambassador for 2026.

I genuinely screamed when I got the email.

I’m mostly including this because I’ve never seen Boots so happy in his entire life. He went absolutely manic for these treats. I sometimes freeze them now that it’s so hot outside and it also slows him down slightly because otherwise he inhales them at concerning speeds.

May genuinely felt like survival mode a little bit, but also a reminder that tiny things really do improve everyday life. A nice lip balm, a good cardigan, a comforting bowl of soup, a tiny pan, a hand soap that smells expensive.

Those are the things that have made this month feel softer.

With love,
Kouka x

*None of this is sponsored or paid. These are simply things I’ve enjoyed and used consistently. If you do work for any of these brands and want to sponsor a full-time student, though… I wouldn’t say no.

I’ve linked items through my ShopMy. I may earn a small commission on some purchases, but truly no pressure. Mostly just grateful you’re here reading!

I tried traditional meal prep once and it did not work for me. By day three it felt slimy, sad, and deeply depressing. So now I ingredient prep instead and it makes my weeks so much easier. I like changing it up weekly so I’m naturally getting a variety of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals without overthinking it.

Last thing, these glass containers, these silicon containers and this microwavable steamer have been with me through countless weeks of meal prep, I genuinely use them every single week. Here’s what I prepped this week:

Carbs:

Purple Rice

I have been eating purple rice recently instead of plain white rice and I genuinely love it. It’s slightly nuttier, chewier, and feels a bit more nourishing without really requiring any extra effort.

I freeze it in individual portions so I can just microwave it throughout the week when I’m tired or coming home late from school.

Fun nutrition note: when rice is cooked and cooled, it forms more resistant starch, which acts a bit more like fibre and can help with blood sugar balance and gut health. So leftovers are genuinely working in your favour.

How I Make It

• 2 cups Japanese rice

• ¼–⅓ cup black rice

Cook together in a rice cooker, portion, and freeze.

Lasts:
4–5 days in fridge
Up to 1 month frozen

Freezer Staples:

Garlic Olive Oil Freezer Cubes

One of my favourite lazy cooking hacks.

I pour hot water over garlic cloves to loosen the skin quickly, then blend everything in my Vitamix with olive oil and freeze it into cubes in these ice cube trays! Whenever I want to make noodles, stir-fry vegetables, soup, or literally anything, I can just throw a cube into a pan and immediately feel like I have my life together.

Also… significantly cheaper than buying the pre-made frozen garlic cubes at the supermarket.

Ingredients

• 2 whole garlic bulbs

• Olive oil

How I Make Them

1. Pour hot water over garlic to help peel the skins.

2. Blend garlic with enough olive oil to form a thick paste.

3. Spoon into freezer trays and freeze.

Lasts:
~2–3 months frozen

Soup:

Miso Soup Freezer Cubes

I love miso soup but sometimes even making miso soup feels like too many steps after class. So I started making freezer cubes and they’ve genuinely changed my life slightly.

Ingredients

• Miso paste

• Green onions

• Wakame

• Sesame seeds

• Bonito flakes

Optional Additions

• tofu

• frozen spinach

• mushrooms

• ginger

How I Make Them

I spoon miso into large silicone freezer trays, then top with green onions, wakame, sesame seeds, and bonito flakes.

When I want soup, I just pour hot water over one cube and add whatever else I have in the fridge.

It feels significantly more comforting than instant soup packets and takes about 30 seconds.

Lasts:
~1 month frozen

Vegetables:

Japanese Potato Salad

I genuinely love Japanese potato salad because it somehow tastes comforting and nostalgic even when you didn’t grow up eating it. It’s softer, creamier, and slightly sweeter than American potato salad. They’re stored in these containers, which I love because they’re huge!

Ingredients

• Potatoes

• Corn

• Carrot

• Cucumber

• Japanese mayonnaise

• 1 hard-boiled egg

• Salt + pepper

Optional:

• Black Forest ham

• tuna instead of ham (surprisingly delicious)

How I Make It

1. Boil potatoes and carrots until soft.

2. Mash potatoes lightly, leaving some texture.

3. Mix in vegetables, chopped egg, mayo, salt, and pepper.

I like eating this straight from the fridge when I’m starving after class.

Lasts:
~3–4 days in fridge

Protein:

Miso Soy Chicken Thighs

This week’s protein prep was chicken thighs marinated in miso and soy sauce and they were genuinely delicious.

I love chicken thighs because they reheat well and don’t become dry and sad in the fridge.

Ingredients

• Chicken thighs

• 1 tbsp miso

• 1 tbsp soy sauce

• Garlic cube

• Tiny drizzle honey

• Sesame oil

How I Make It

Mix everything together and marinate for at least 30 minutes.

Air fry or roast until slightly caramelised.

Perfect with rice and cucumber salad.

Lasts:
~4 days in fridge

It takes about 1–2 hours on Sunday and saves me hours of mental energy all week. It’s honestly the smallest prep, a pot of rice, a few veggies that saves me from panic-ordering takeout and wasting $20 on a sad lunch I didn’t even enjoy.

Love,

Kouka x

watch me make it here:

I receive a lot of skincare through PR, which I’m very grateful for and genuinely enjoy trying. If I really like something, I’m consistent with it and finish it completely. I love what works, and I hate letting things go to waste.

These are the products I finished recently:

Toners

Thayers Hydrating Milky Toner
I love milky toners. They just work for my dry skin and make everything feel calmer and more hydrated. This one was simple, gentle, and easy to layer. I used it mostly at night after tretinoin when my skin was feeling particularly dry.

Paula’s Choice calm nourishing Milky Toner

I like this one a lot. It has hyaluronic acid in it, and it was great for my sensitive skin. It’s not quite as thick as the Thayer’s, so I would alternate between the two.

Random Face Products

Counter Cushion Cream
I used this mostly on low-maintenance days when I wanted my skin to look a bit more even without looking like I was wearing foundation. Very easy to wear and very “your skin but healthier.”

EADEM chouchou lip softening balm - mochi

I talk alot about how much I love the EADEM butter mochi lip balms, but this shade has become my everyday favourite. The other shades I own are slightly darker, whereas Mochi is much softer and easier to throw on with no makeup. It’s glossy, slightly shimmery, and just makes me feel very pretty and put together with minimal effort. Even when it’s the only thing on my face, it somehow makes me look significantly more alive.

Kosas Concealer
I talk about this constantly because it’s genuinely that good.

This is the only concealer I’ve consistently used for years. It’s lightweight, hydrating, and somehow still covers everything I want it to. I immediately repurchased.

Mutha Face Oil
I loved this. I mostly used it at night layered over moisturiser and always woke up with my skin looking really healthy and calm. Expensive, unfortunately, but genuinely lovely.

Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen
One of the few sunscreens I will happily wear every single day.

No white cast, doesn’t pill under makeup, and genuinely invisible on the skin. I also appreciate that it doesn’t make me feel greasy halfway through the day.

Cleansers & Exfoliation

Dr Loretta Gentle Hydrating Cleanser
I love Dr Loretta products because my skin never reacts badly to them.

This cleanser is very straightforward in the best way possible. Gentle, hydrating, doesn’t strip the skin, and perfect for when my skin barrier is irritated. I immediately got two more bottles because I refuse to be without it. The best cleanser on the market.

Dermalogica Daily Microfoliant
I’ve used this on and off for years.

It’s one of the only exfoliants I use that makes my skin feel smoother immediately without irritating it. I especially like using it when my skin starts looking dull from stress and lack of sleep (which, during PA school, is often).

Body Care

Kopari Body Oil
I love body oils, I love oiling myself up after the shower and feeling like a slippery hippo. This one made my skin look so glowy and healthy, especially on my legs. I usually wait for it to dry and then apply moisturiser on top at night.

CeraVe Moisturising Cream
My ride or die body moisturiser.

I moisturise my entire body every single day after I shower and go through tubs of this constantly. Thick but not greasy and genuinely one of the best moisturisers for dry skin.

Nuxe Body Oil
This is my favorite body oil in the entire world. The scent is absolutely beautiful, and it makes your skin look gorgeous in the summer. I love this, I love this, I love this, but unfortunately it’s a bit pricey. It is my favorite smell and body oil it always reminds me of being on a beach in France.

Hand Cream

Mario Badescu Coconut Body butter
I use this after the shower when my hands were feeling really dry. It’s thick and it smells like holiday sunscreen!

Nopalera Cactus Hand Cream - Bosque Mystico

I absolutely love this hand cream. It’s probably one of the best hand creams I’ve ever used. I love the smell. I love how non-greasy it is, and you genuinely feel your hands softer. The first time I ever used it, I had an OSCE exam and my patient told me that I had the softest hands, I love it.

Hair

Divi Dry Shampoo
I’m extremely picky with dry shampoo because a lot of them make my scalp itchy. I liked this one. It got the job done.

Vegamour GRO Hair Serum
I went through an entire bottle of this which honestly says a lot because hair serums take forever to finish. I loved that it didn’t make my scalp greasy because it’s water-based, I really appreciated this. But to be entirely honest, I didn’t notice any hair growth, but I’m also not that perceptive about things like this, so maybe that was a me problem.

Living Proof Shampoo
Solid shampoo. Cleaned my hair well without making it feel stripped

I genuinely love doing empties because it forces me to slow down and think about what I actually use versus what just sits in my bathroom looking pretty.

And honestly, if I finished something completely, it probably means I loved it.

With love,
Kouka x

I genuinely think drinking a warm mug of miso soup fixes at least 40% of my problems. The issue is that when I’m stressed or deep in exam season, even making miso soup can feel like too many steps. So I started making these freezer cubes.

They take maybe 5 minutes to prep and then all you have to do is pour over hot water. It feels significantly more comforting than instant soup packets and makes me feel slightly more put together than I actually am.

I store mine in this silicone ice cube tray from Anyday and keep them in the freezer at all times.

Ingredients

Base

• Miso paste

• Fresh green onions

• Nori flakes

• Bonito flakes

Optional Add-Ins

Depending on my mood/whatever is in my fridge:

• Grated ginger

• Sesame seeds

• Tiny tofu cubes

• Frozen spinach

• Chili crisp

• Mushrooms

• Surigoma (ground sesame seeds)

• Wakame

How to Make Them

1. Mix all the ingredients in a bowl

   • ~1 cup miso paste

   • 4 green onions, thinly sliced

   • ½ cup bonito flakes

   • ¼ cup nori flakes

2. Into each silicone cube add:

   • ~1 tbsp of the miso mix

3. Freeze
   Freeze until solid.

4. Store
   Pop the cubes out and keep in ice cube trays

How to use

Place one cube into a mug or bowl and pour over hot water. Stir until dissolved. Drink as it is or add in tofu, spinach or literally whatever you want.

Dietitian Note: This is one of my favourite “make healthy eating easier for future you” habits.

It’s warm, hydrating, comforting, and genuinely takes less effort than ordering takeout miso soup!

I promise you it’s delicious. Cook it or outsource it, both are valid.

Watch me make it here:

With love,
Kouka x

I saw this recipe on Instagram and immediately saved it. It’s simple, protein-packed, and features chili oil, so it immediately felt like something I’d love.

The dish is made with soft tofu, silky eggs and tender shrimp. It looks dramatic but requires almost no effort, which is exactly how I operate after a long day in classes. It is genuinely delightful. Nothing more to say because I just want you to try it yourself.

Silken Tofu, Eggs & Shrimp (Serves 1)

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp sesame oil

• ½ block silken tofu

• 2 eggs

• 4–6 shrimp, peeled and deveined

• 1–2 tsp chili oil

• 1 scallion, sliced

• Optional: white pepper, tsp soy sauce

1. Coat your pan with sesame oil.

2. Gently slice the silken tofu into thick pieces and place on your pan

3. Lightly beat 2 eggs with soy sauce. Pour over the tofu.

4. Place cut up raw shrimp directly on top. Drizzle with chili oil.

5. Cook for ~ 4-6 minutes until eggs are softly set and shrimp are pink.

6. Drizzle with chili oil and top with scallions.

7. Serve as she is (perfection) or add on top of rice!

Dietitian Note: This bowl is high protein, high satiety, and easy on digestion. You’re getting complete protein from eggs and shrimp, plus additional plant protein from tofu. It’s warm, comforting, and deeply nourishing after a long day.

I promise you it’s delicious. Cook it or outsource it, both are valid.

Watch me make it here:

With love,
Kouka x

The only upside is that I had a lot of time to use products, so these are the things I actually reached for and loved.

Fashion

Perfect White tee from Los Angeles Apparel I love a white tee, adore them, in fact. They’re pretty much all I wear in summer. My current favourite is from Los Angeles Apparel. It fits just right, its $28, it’s 100% cotton, and it’s that perfect, classic piece.

Perfect summer trousers As for bottoms, finding comfy, cute, 100% cotton gingham summer trousers for a tall girl is not easy, but Sonderhaus nailed it. They’re fun, they’re cute, and they genuinely make me happy whenever I wear them. Basically, my summer uniform is sorted.

Shoes

I’m 6’0, and I don’t usually wear heels, but I’ve been trying not to let that stop me. Some outfits just look better with a small heel, and I’ve found myself reaching for kitten heels more and more.

These are definitely a bit pricey for me, (I am still a student!) but I do think investing in shoes, especially timeless ones, is worth it. I wear them constantly, and between the two of them, they work with almost everything in my wardrobe.

Sézane Ingrid Mule (Vintage Chocolate)
These go with every brown outfit I own. The colour is perfect, and they’re genuinely so comfortable. I only wear comfortable shoes, so that says a lot.

Loeffler Randall Odessa Heels (Black/Silver)
Also perfect. I walked an hour in them the first time I wore them (which is usually a terrible idea with heels), and they were completely fine. I now wear them for dinners most weekends.

I don’t really go higher than this in terms of heel height, and these feel like the perfect balance, comfortable, easy, and they just make outfits look a bit more put together.

Cleaning

Koala Eco Hand Wash I just love this brand. I use their laundry detergent and recently started using their hand soap as well. Everything is so gentle, which I really appreciate because my skin can be quite sensitive. I can even hand wash delicate items without any irritation. It smells beautiful and just makes everyday tasks feel a bit nicer.

Skincare

Paula’s Choice Milky Toner I love a milky toner. I’ve been using this one all month and really like it. It reminds me of the Dr Loretta milky essence, simple, hydrating, and easy to layer.

Rhode Pimple Patches I usually use Hero patches, but I have to say the sticking power of these is much better. Even when I apply them after skincare, they stay on all night. I’ve had so many patches fall off mid-sleep before, but these don’t move. I really like them and I’ve been breaking out so much during finals, I use them daily.

Rhode Lip Balm - Caramelized Banana I do love the scent. I know everyone talks about it, but it really is delicious. It smells like the chocolate banana my dad would make on the barbecue near Mount Fuji on one of my many childhood camping trips. Very specific, but that’s exactly what it reminds me of. I wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t like banana though… it’s very banana-forward.

Home Fragrance

The Nue Co. - Forest Lungs This is my favourite scent in the entire world. It reminds me of being in a forest in Japan and immediately calms me down. I use it as a room spray, although my sister sprays it on her body before bed, which I also kind of love.

It lasts well and just makes my space feel peaceful.

Cookware + Kitchen

Anyday Silicone Deli Containers I love these. They’re lightweight, soft, and made from silicone, so they feel safer and easier to use than glass. I actually switched to these after shattering a heavy glass container earlier this month.

You can freeze, microwave, and even use them in the oven. I recommend them to everyone.

Homewear

Brooklinen Shortie Robe I’ve wanted a robe for the longest time, but I don’t like anything too heavy or overly long. This one is perfect. It’s soft, lightweight, and feels like a cosy hug without being overwhelming. Also… my legs can breathe, which I appreciate.

Brooklinen Percale Bedsheets These have been perfect for the in-between weather. They’re cooling, light, and I love the green stripe. I’ve recently become very into patterns, and something about making my bed with these just makes me happy in the morning.

Everyday Essentials

SURI Toothbrush I love this toothbrush. It’s genuinely the best one I’ve used, and it also happens to be very cute (which helps). If you’re in the market for a new toothbrush, I would recommend this, especially in the coral colour.

Nails

OPI Repair Mode Bond Building Nail Serum Every exam season, I destroy my nails. This time I started using this serum, and it has actually worked. I’ve been using it twice a day for about five days, and my nails haven’t cracked yet, which feels like a miracle.

It absorbs instantly, which I love, no waiting around for it to dry like a traditional treatment.

Dazzle Dry I did an ad with them, but I want you to know: I would never work with a brand I don’t genuinely believe in or use myself. And honestly, I freakin’ love this. Normally, I don’t bite my nails when they’re painted, but gels and acrylics have really weakened them over time. Regular nail polish usually lasts maybe a day or two on me before chipping. But I tried Dazzle Dry and it actually lasted a full seven days, no damage. It only chipped after a week because, well, I started nibbling after an exam (my fault, not theirs). I genuinely love this system, even though it takes a moment to figure out the steps!

Random Amazon Finds

Address Privacy Stamp I got a very convincing fake letter from a “bank,” and the only reason I knew it wasn’t real was because it used my ‘influencer’ name instead of my legal name. It made me realise I had been throwing away packages without removing my address.

I found this little stamp on Amazon that you roll over your address to block it out. It’s oddly fun to use and makes me feel much better about privacy.

The Best Cat Toy for Boots You know I’ve seen all the TikTok ads for cat toys. But unfortunately, Mr Boots (my cat) is picky. He refuses to play with anything that didn’t come into his life when he was a kitten. Usually, he’ll only chase string or hair ties, which means a lot of effort on my part. But I found this door-frame hanging toy, and it’s been the best cat purchase ever. Boots adores it and I no longer have to spend 30 minutes with a numb arm while he attacks me. If you’ve got a cat, trust me, get one. Watching them play with it is beyond adorable.

Websites

Fish Doorbell (visdeurbel.nl) This is random, but I love it. It’s essentially a livestream that helps fish migrate safely, you can press a button when you see fish so someone can open the lock. It’s oddly calming and slightly addictive.

April was intense, but there’s something comforting about having small things that make your day feel a little better, even when everything else feels overwhelming.

Hopefully May will involve slightly less studying and slightly more life. Happy Spring everyone..

With love,
Kouka x